We have all heard the phrase “change is hard” at some point in our professional careers. This can be especially true regarding changes in leadership within a non-profit organization. This change can challenge an entire organization, its staff, stakeholders, and the cause it seeks to impact. In many circumstances, hiring an interim executive director is a method to provide guidance through the transition period and help ensure a smooth leadership change.
What is an interim Executive Director?
An Interim Executive Director is a temporary leader brought in to lead the organization during a transitionary period and leadership change. The Board of Directors typically hires this role and serves as a bridge between the outgoing executive director and a new permanent executive director. There are many benefits of using an Interim Executive Director during a leadership change in nonprofit organizations, including:
Continuity of leadership: An interim ED can ensure that the organization is able to continue to function smoothly during the transitional period. The Interim is able to provide stability, maintain strategic relationships with stakeholders and supporters, as well as allowing the organization to continue to work towards meeting previously established goals.
Objectivity: In many circumstances, an interim ED may come from outside of the organization and current staff. As an outsider to the organization, it is often advantageous to provide an objective perspective about the current strengths and weaknesses. During this period, they can identify areas for improvement and provide this feedback to an incoming executive director.
Flexibility: An interim ED can be put in place for a specific period that may best suit the organization’s needs. This could include a period of time to fill a gap in leadership based on a specific project or to provide continued support during a longer-term leadership transition.
Experience: An interim ED typically has experience serving in an executive director capacity or in a number of different nonprofit leadership roles. They are able to bring their expertise to the organization and provide guidance and support to the staff and board.
Leadership Search Support: An interim ED can also provide support to the search committee as they fill the permanent executive director position. They are able to help define the role to best serve the needs of the organization and identify the qualifications and characteristics that a new leader should possess. Often, an interim ED will actively participate in the recruitment process.
Can an internal staff member become the interim executive director?
Sure…but not without some risk. Existing team members are often tapped for interim leadership due to time constraints or as a trial run for the permanent role. Their institutional knowledge and familiarity can be major assets for an organization going through a transition. While this may seem ideal, it can often lead to unintended consequences such as…
- Losing a great team member who isn’t the right fit for leadership.
- Jealousy and team dynamic issues.
- Attempting to lead without the right training and experience.
While an outsider will have a learning curve taking over an organization, they will also have fresh eyes and a detachment that makes the “interim” status more easily accepted. They can also buy your organization the time necessary to do a full hiring process which may end up in a better fitting position for the long-term growth of the organization.
If you do decide to proceed with an internal candidate, consider the following tips:
- Hire an executive coach for the interim to help navigate leadership-specific struggles and keep perspective.
- Use a contract to enforce the temporary nature of the arrangement.
- Keep the interim candidate abreast of the organization’s recruitment process and progress.
- Have a board member deliver the news to the team of the internal interim’s position change and the process for finding a permanent leader.
How do you find the right interim leader?
Where and how you look for interim leadership depends on your organization’s size and operating dynamic. Suppose you’re looking for someone who can immediately get involved in operations, i.e., service delivery. In that case, you might consider an internal interim leader who is familiar and trained to help. However, suppose your organization is more established and has a team that covers core operations. In that case, you will want to look for someone who can maintain the organization’s momentum by overseeing its major program areas, finances, and human resources.
Posting an interim position on major job networks like Indeed may get results, but probably not the right ones. Consider utilizing networking or nonprofit-specific job boards. Also, talk to your local community foundation and Chamber of Commerce to see if they know of consultants or candidates who would be interested.
As you can see, the use of an interim ED may be incredibly valuable to a nonprofit organization as they experience a leadership transition. They can provide continuity, objectivity, flexibility, experience, and support while searching for a new permanent leader. If your organization is experiencing a leadership change, consider hiring an interim to help ensure a smooth transition and position your organization for continued success as you move forward.
David Burdo has a career with over 15 years of leadership and law practice in nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Most recently, David has worked with multiple nonprofit organizations, focusing on developing high-performing teams, maintaining a culture that promotes collaboration and growth, and providing strategic direction on all operations and activities.
A Kalamazoo native, David received a degree in Business Finance from Butler University, followed by a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. Following 9 years of practice as an attorney, David more recently served as both the Director of Membership and Marketing, including a period as Interim Executive Director, at the Tri-Cities Family YMCA. During this time, he directed numerous membership marketing campaigns resulting in substantial growth in membership and program participation. David also prioritized sharing the organization’s positive impact throughout the community, speaking on its behalf at numerous events. Following his time at the YMCA, David was the Executive Director at Gracious Grounds, overseeing substantial organizational growth in both capacity and fund development. Upon leaving Gracious Grounds, David has been acting as a consultant for Homes Giving Hope and providing them with executive-level support and leadership.
As a big believer in strengthening our community through volunteerism, David has been an active member of the Tri-Cities Kiwanis Club, serves on the Board of Directors with the Kenzie’s Be Cafe and Dunegrass Healing LLC, coaches youth hockey with the Lakeshore Junior Lumberjacks, and is a graduate of the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Connect.
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